Another possible motivation is to block SIN from becoming the dominant regional hub; rather ironic as QF has a mini-hub in SIN (and not much service to Air Asia cities). Presumably JQ will "hub" to KL and codeshare with Air Asia. Branson's Virgin Group owns 20% of "Air Asia X" which is the long-haul LCC (flights to LHR etc), but as far as I know has no stake in Air Asia. That stake has been in place for over 2 years now, with talk of Virgin Blue codesharing with Air Asia X but nothing has come of it, so presumably it isn't happening. Murky isn't it? A bit like CX and QF competing bitterly on some routes, despite being in the same alliance.